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A Message from Pope John Paul II

"To be actively pro-life is to contribute to the renewal of society through the promotion of the common good. It is impossible to further the common good without acknowledging and defending the right to life, upon which all the other inalienable rights of individuals are founded and from which they develop." ~ Pope John Paul II, The Gospel of Life, n.101

Everything is grace, everything is the direct effect of our Father's love.Everything is grace because everything is God's gift.Whatever be the character of life or its unexpected events -- to the heart that loves, all is well.

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"I love the zeal Jean puts into her posts, especially when it comes to the prolife movement." Esther, A Catholic Mom in Hawaii.

"Jean of Catholic Fire...provides so much informative content. She posts about pro-life issues and events, what happened 'on this day', biographies of saints, prayer intentions, and lots more each day. No matter what she's posting about, I can always come away each day feeling uplifted...and that's saying a lot for me, as I'm someone who often tries to avoid thinking about some of the political and other issues that she posts about. It must be her strong faith and trust in God, as well as her love, shining through her posts, that inspire me." Margaret Mary Myers , Reflections, Catholic BVI Readers, VIP Homeschooler.

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Monday, May 05, 2008

Packed with prayers, scripture, and poetic reflections, Heidi Hess Saxton’s beautiful devotional, Behold Your Mother: Mary Stories and Reflections from a CatholicConvert consists of 48 meditations that will draw each of us to the heart of Our Mother Mary, who in turn, will draw us into the heart of her beloved Son. Each of the devotions provides us with a vivid and imaginative description of how our Blessed Mother must have felt and thought during the significant events of her life. These thought - provoking meditations provide us with insight into the “treasures of her heart” which enable us to relate to her on a human level.

Saxton enchants us with three charming stories of how she “discovered” the Blessed Virgin Mary in her life and came to rely on Mary for protection and strength. As I read the stories, I was fascinated with these refreshing testimonies of the simple, yet powerful ways, the Blessed Mother gently acted as a channel of grace in her life, drawing her near to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In her poetic and gentle style, Saxton graciously lifts us up in hope to a beauty that is beyond this world, which many are searching for, contained in the heart of our Mother.

Here is one of my favorite meditations based on Acts 2: 1 – 4, RSV: “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind … there appeared to them tongues of fire…”

I smiled as I felt the familiar stir of the spirit,From gentle breeze to rushing roar! Filling me,Overwhelming me completely, just as before,As the angel has said, he came upon me, filling me with the miracle of life without end.Oh, come though mighty God of the universe, fill me again!

Laughing for joy, I saw the others embrace him.Tongues of fire burned away each impurity,Saturating souls with profound gifts of mystery,And bringing to bear the good news for us all.“What can it mean?” “Who are these men?”The unbridled power of God’s own SpiritPoured forth once again.

Sanctuary of the Holy Spirit:To some the Holy Spirit comes like a wildfire; to others like a gentle rain, bringing to life rich spiritual fruit that nourishes everyone who comes near. Pray for us, that our hearts would remain open to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to accomplish in us everything God desires. Amen.

Behold Your Mother will certainly make a special Mother’s Day gift for moms of all faiths, for new converts, and for those who already have a close relationship with Mary. While a short read (only 75 pages), it is full of meaning.

To read an author interview with Heidi Hess Saxton about Behold Your Mother: Mary Stories and Reflections from a Catholic Convert, gohere.